Construction and performance of a microbial fuel cell made with low-cost materials
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Abstract
Microbial fuel cells are devices that convert chemical energy stored into the bonds of organic compounds in electric energy using microorganisms. The advantages of these devices are the capability of water treatment and cleaning. We report, as proof of concept, the construction and performance of a microbial fuel cell, employing reusable and low-cost materials. Microbial Consortium was isolated from Amaluza sludge, Cuenca-Ecuador. The microbial fuel cell was tested using domestic residual water, sampled from Ubilus's neighborhood, at the canton Quito, Ecuador. A power density of ca. 40 mW/m2 and an 80 % of organic matter remotion were obtained with the final microbial fuel cell. On the concept of circular economy, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were measured into the produced biomass, as possible applications in agronomy.
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